20.06.2025 19:39
Negotiations between Iran and European powers, including the UK, France, and Germany, concluded without any breakthroughs on June 20th. Despite ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed a continued commitment to dialogue, urging Iran to engage further with the United States. The looming decision by President Trump on whether to pursue military action or diplomatic solutions within two weeks casts a long shadow over these stalled talks. European officials, mirroring the US stance, pressed for a complete halt to Iran's uranium enrichment program and focused discussions on dismantling Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as emphasized by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Meanwhile, a different front in the escalating conflict emerged. Israel's Chief of General Staff, Eyal Zamir, declared Israel's readiness for a protracted military campaign against Iran, signaling a hardening of the Israeli stance. This declaration followed earlier warnings from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to Hezbollah, urging the group to remain uninvolved in any confrontation with Iran. Katz's statement issued a stern rebuke to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, who had previously pledged full support to Iran and controversially claimed Iran's uranium enrichment program was solely for peaceful purposes. Katz explicitly warned Hezbollah of Israel's dwindling patience with threats.
Adding to the escalating tensions, the Israeli military claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes targeting numerous Iranian military sites on Thursday night. These strikes reportedly included several industrial facilities involved in missile production located in the vicinity of Tehran, and, significantly, the headquarters of the SPND, Iran's primary defense research organization. The IDF publicly confirmed these actions, highlighting the strikes' impact on Iran's military capabilities. The ongoing strikes and pronouncements paint a picture of a sharply intensifying conflict, with the potential for further escalation remaining a significant concern.
